Second act

Two days passed in a blur. But today, today was the day. The audition. It felt like a new chapter, one I'd been waiting to open.

My excitement was building, but for the first time, I felt confident, not overwhelmed. I had worked hard for this moment.

I stood by the window, watching the morning light filter through the curtains. My nerves hummed beneath the surface, but they were softer now, manageable.

I could do this. The role of a princess in a modern action film falling in love with a spy who was sent to kill her felt like a challenge, but one that I was ready for.

The story was being produced by a highly respected name in the industry, and just the thought of working on something so big sent an exhilarating shiver down my spine. I wanted this role. No, I needed it.

A knock at the door broke me from my thoughts.

"Layla! Maya's here!" my mom called from downstairs.

I quickly grabbed my bag, mentally running through the lines I'd memorized. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the door, but I took a deep breath. Calm. Collected. I could do this.

Downstairs, my family was gathered by the door. They were all in various stages of getting ready for the day, but my mom had insisted on being there to see me off. She always knew when something was important, even without me telling her.

Maya was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a bright smile on her face, her usual energy lighting up the room.

"Ready, superstar?" she teased.

"More ready than I thought I'd be," I admitted, giving my family a wave. 

My sisters, still half-asleep but determined to support me, threw me sleepy thumbs-ups and mumbled good lucks. My mom, though, walked over and gave me a tight hug.

"You're going to do great, sweetheart. Just be yourself."

"I will," I whispered back, feeling the warmth of her hug seep into my bones. With a final wave to everyone, Maya and I made our way to her car.

I still didn't have my driver's license, which was a constant point of teasing between Maya and me. But for now, it worked. It gave me a chance to relax on the drive and focus on the audition.

As we buckled in and drove off, Maya glanced at me from the corner of her eye. "Alright, let's do a quick debrief. You know the story, right?"

I nodded.

"A modern-day princess falling in love with a spy who's been assigned to kill her. The producer's known for his deep character development, so it's not just about looking the part it's about making her real, making the audience root for her even though she's in danger."

Maya smiled, impressed. "Good. You've done your homework."

We drove through the city streets, the morning sun casting a golden glow over everything. It was still early, and the world felt like it was just waking up.

I stared out the window, mentally going over my lines again and again, mouthing the words silently to myself.

"You've got this, Layla," Maya encouraged as we merged onto the highway, the road stretching ahead of us.

"It's a long drive to the audition, so you have plenty of time to go over your lines again. But from what I've seen, you've already nailed them."

I smiled. Maya always knew how to boost my confidence when I needed it most.

As the city slowly turned into open highways and sprawling landscapes, we discussed the intricacies of the character.

The princess was strong, independent, but trapped in a gilded cage, expected to follow the rules. Her attraction to the spy someone dangerous, someone who saw the real her beyond the title was her first real taste of freedom.

It was a layered role, and I wanted to show that complexity during the audition. It wasn't just about being regal; it was about showing her vulnerability, her conflict, and her desire to break free.

I spent the rest of the drive running through the dialogue in my head, imagining the scenes, the emotions, the tension.

Maya helped me rehearse, throwing the spy's lines at me while I responded as the princess. By the time we arrived at the audition location, I felt more grounded, more centered in the role.

We pulled up in front of the studio, a large, modern building with tall glass windows reflecting the bright sky. It was sleek and intimidating, a far cry from the small, cozy places I'd auditioned at before.

This was big. Really big. My stomach did a little flip, but I breathed deeply, forcing myself to stay calm.

"Ready?" Maya asked, parking the car.

I nodded, swallowing the nerves that had started to rise again. "Ready."

We stepped out of the car and made our way toward the entrance. The studio's doors loomed in front of us, and as they slid open, we were greeted by the cool, air-conditioned space inside.

The lobby was pristine, filled with modern art pieces and sleek furniture. It was clear this place was high-end, a testament to the caliber of production happening here.

I followed Maya to the check-in desk, where we were directed to a waiting area. There were a few other women already there, all dressed to impress.

They were clearly vying for the same role, and I felt a surge of competition rise within me. But I quickly pushed it down. This was about me, about what I could bring to the character. Comparing myself to them wouldn't help.

I found a seat and took out my script, flipping through the pages even though I had already memorized most of it. It was a way to calm my nerves, to focus. Maya sat next to me, her presence reassuring.

The waiting area buzzed with low conversations. A few of the women around me were talking, some quietly rehearsing their lines, while others were chatting nervously about the audition process. I couldn't help but smile at how we all shared the same underlying tension.

"Have you auditioned for something like this before?" one of the women next to me asked, offering a small smile.

"Not exactly this big," I admitted. "But it's exciting, right?"

She nodded. "It is. The script is really interesting there's a lot to work with."

I agreed. "It's a complex role, for sure. There's so much depth to the character."

Before I could say anything else, the door to the audition room opened, and a woman stepped out. Her face was unreadable, but the way she held her script to her chest told me she had given it her all.

"Layla Nightshade," the casting assistant called out.

My heart did a little leap, but I quickly stood, smoothing out my clothes. I gave Maya a quick glance, and she offered me a supportive nod.

"You've got this," she whispered.

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination as I walked toward the audition room. The door opened, and I stepped inside.

The room was large, well-lit, with a camera set up in the corner and a panel of people seated at a long table. My eyes scanned the room, taking it all in. And then, my gaze landed on one person in particular.

Zaya.

She was sitting with the producers and casting directors, her posture relaxed but with that signature cool air about her. She looked just as composed and distant as I remembered from the award ceremony. My breath hitched for a moment, but I quickly forced myself to focus.

This wasn't the time to get distracted.

The casting director introduced himself and the team, gesturing for me to stand in front of the camera. I felt all eyes on me, including Zaya's, and for a second, I wondered if she remembered me.

But that didn't matter.

I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and prepared to give the performance of my life.